Gibson Announces 2020-21 Wrestling Recruiting Class

LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI head wrestling coach Jim Gibson announced the program's incoming recruiting class Monday for the 2020-21 season, with 13 newcomers in the group.
"I am very excited about the addition of the next group of Keydet wrestlers," said Gibson. "Not only is this an accomplished group on the mat, but they have excelled in the classroom as well."
 "They are going to raise the competitiveness of the practice room, and have the ability to make an immediate impact for us." 

Ethan Barrett, Richmond, Va., Hermitage High School
Before VMI: Had a career record of 70-43 … a two-time all-region 5A honoree … a two-time state qualifier … all-county champion in 2020 … Most Improved in 2019 … earned leadership awards through JROTC.  

Joel Diaz, Woodridge, Va., Woodbridge High School
Before VMI: Earned more than 30 wins twice in high school under head coach Ty Knepp … went 34-13 as a senior and 33-16 as a junior … had a career record of 83-45 at Woodbridge High … a two-time state qualifier, district and regional champion and a 6A state third-place finisher … War on the Shore placer … Viking Wrestling Club … a member of the National Honor Society, Advanced Placement Scholars and Math Honor Society.

Isaac Dolph, Appomattox, Va., Brookville High School
Before VMI: The 2020 State, Region and Conference Champion after going 48-0 in his senior season at 195 pounds … had 30 pins in his final year … all-area wrestler of the year … won the River Rumble, Titan Toughman, TA Holiday, Big Orange Tournaments and the LCA Invitational … career record of 115-30 … competed with VA Gold … also competed in football … graduated with academic honors.

Luke Fegley, Middletown, Pa., Middletown High School
Before VMI:  Earned 136 PIAA wrestling wins (with just 42 losses), the second-highest in program history at Middletown High … scored 66 career pins … the three-time Most Valuable Wrestler at Middletown … a three-time PIAA SE Regional and District Place winner … a four-time sectional place winner … a three-time PIAA State Qualifier … won five individual tournament championships … a three-time Mid-Pa. All-Star Team … Pa. Wrestling Coaches All-Academic Team … a two-time state qualifier for Future Business Leaders of America.

Giani Gilch, Holland, Pa., Council Rock South High School
Before VMI: A four-year letterwinner at Council Rock South … had 106 career wins, a three-time PIAA State Qualifier and two-time District 1 East Champion … placed third in the Southeast Region in 2019-20 … was also third at the King of the Mountain … also played baseball in high school as a catcher.

Adam Hoffman, Latrobe, Pa., Greater Latrobe High School
Before VMI: Wrestled for three seasons for head coach Michael Ciotti at Greater Latrobe … also competed in cross country and track … earned the Latrobe City Council Citizenship Award in 2018 and a youth leadership award in 2019.
Brian Jackson, Fredericksburg, Va., Massaponax High School
Before VMI: A four-time regional place-winner and three-time state qualifier … boasted a 108-39 career record at Massaponax High … took fifth place at the 2020 VHSL State Tournament … a team captain for two seasons … he had wins over VHSL Class 4 & 5 3^rd and 2^nd place-winners … also competed with the Panthers Wrestling Club … a National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society member … an honors graduate … performed over 300 hours of community service.

Freddy Junko, Wexford, Pa., North Allegheny
Before VMI: Posted 127 high school wins and 38 pins … finished third and second at PA Freestyle/Greco State Tournament … two-time Fargo Qualifier … a three-year captain … earned the 2019-20 Ty Moore Memorial Scholarship Award … also earned the leadership and extra effort awards … earned a scholar-athlete award four times … also competed with TWC and PittBull Wrestling.

Chase Mielnik, Downingtown, Pa., Downingtown STEM Academy
Before VMI: A four-year letterman … placed first at district and regionals as a senior and fourth in the state … set the school single-season pin record with 32 and the career pin record (84) ... three-time all-district and all-region … a two-time freestyle state champion and a three-time Greco state champion.

Tyler Mousaw, Watertown, N.Y., Unionville High/South Jefferson
Before VMI: A four-year letterwinner in high school for coaches Bill Taylor (Pa.) and Pat Connors (N.Y.) … had a career-record of 136-36 between South Jefferson and Unionville … also competes on the Defiant Wrestling Club … a member of the German Honor Society and was a two-time all-academic team selection.

Giomar Ramos, Canonsburg, Pa., Canon-McMillan High School
Before VMI: Lettered for all four years of his high school career as a heavyweight for coach Jeff Havelka … had a career record of 65-37 … a section finalist in 2019 and section champion in 2018 … placed third at Powerade Wrestling Tournament in 2019 and eighth in 2018 … earned high honors academically in his junior and senior years … also was an offensive lineman on the football team.

Stone Summers, Midland, Va., Mountain View High School
Before VMI: Earned his 100^th career win …  2019 & 2020 VHSL All-State Team … 2019 & 2020 Free Lance Star All-Area Wrestler  … 2019 & 2020 State Qualifier & State Placer … 2018 & 2019 & 2020 Team Most Pins (31/33/27) … two-time team captain … 2019 NHSCA Academic All American (Digital Hall of Fame) … 2019 Team Most Wins (54) … 2018 2X Sophomore All American 220 … won 11 tournaments and placed high in nine others … a member of the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Honor Society and International Thespian Society.
 
Blake Showers, Aspers, Pa., Biglerville High School
Before VMI: A three-time Most Valuable Wrestler for his high school team … had the most pins on the squad and was team captain in each of his four seasons …earned the Don Hills Outstanding Wrestler Award in 2018 and 2020 ... had a 138-38 overall record … a three-time PIAA State place-winner and Fargo Qualifier … tied the Biglerville record for most wins at the state tournament … tied the school record for most state medals … 2019-20 Babe Ruth Sportsmanship and Marine Distinguished Athlete Award winner … 2018 Dick Trimmer Sportsmanship Award … 2017 MAWA Champion.